Skate.



PATENTED AUG. 28, 1906.

R. W. SHELMIRE.

SKATE.

APPLICATION FILED APIL27. 190a.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed April 27, 1905. Serial No. 257,606.

Patented Aug. 28, 1906.

To all whom, at may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT WARREN SHELMIRE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Roanoke, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia, have invented a new and Improved Skate, of which the fol lowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to skates; and it consists, substantially,in the details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter particularly described, and pointed out in the claims.

The invention has reference more espe cially to roller-skates, though applicable to ice-skates; and one of the principal objects thereof is to provide an elastic or cushioning support for the skater whereby skating is rendered less fatiguing and far more enjoyable than in many instances hitherto and may become a useful means of getting from one place to another as well as a pleasure.

A further object is to provide a cushioning device or support for skates which is simple in construction, besides being eflective and reliable in use and possessing the capacity for long and repeated service.

A still further object is to provide a skate which is strong and durable as well as light in weight and cheap to manufacture and easy to repair.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure 1 is a side view of a roller-skate embodying my improvements; and Fig. 2 is a top plan view, partly broken out to more clearly indicate construction, the anklet for the skate not being shown.

Before proceeding with a more detailed de scription it may be stated that in the form of my improvements herein shown I employ a body for the skate of s ecial construction, said body comprising cus 'oning devices also of special construction, the two said elements being so associated or combined as to give the best results in the use of the skate. The said cushioning devices may readily answer or take the place of the cushioning-tires frequently employed on the wheels of rollerskates, although the use of such tires may still be continued, if desired. In addition to the cushioning devices whichI employ I also employ a specially-constructed brake device for the skate, and while I have herein represented my improvements in a certain preferred embodiment it will be understood, of course, that I am not limited to the precise details thereof in practice, since immaterial changes therein may be made coming within the scope of my invention.

Reference being had to the drawings by the designating characters marked thereon, 1 designates the body of my improved skate in entirety, the same comprising a lower or bottom plate 2 and an upper or top plate 3, the latter, as usual, conforming to the shape of the sole of the shoe of the skater. Attached to or formed with the lower plate at the proper places at the edges are suitable hangers or pedestals 4 and 5, in which the journals of the axles of the front and rear rollers 6 and 7, respectively, have their bearings, each of said rollers being herein shown as preferably provided with a cushioningtire 8.

The upper plate 3 is supported some distance above the lower plate 2 by means of cushioning devices, consisting in the present instance of duplicate sets of duplicate springs 9, one set beim disposed at the forward or toe portion of the skate and the other set at the rearward or heel portion thereof, as shown, the two springs of each set being joined by an integral transverse member 10, thus to give or furnish greater extent of hearing between the two plates as well as imparting increased elasticity to the support. The springs of each set are preferably disposed near the edges of the lower and top plates, and each spring may be formed with as many bends or coils 11 as may be desired. The upper plate 3 is curved upwardly at the toe portion thereof, as shown at 12, by which construction a forwardly-yieldable resistance is afforded to the foot of the skater in the ordinary forward movements imparted thereto while skating. At the edges thereof the upper plate 3 is provided above the han ers or pedestals 4: with ordinary clips 13 for fastening the skate to the sole of the shoe, while above the said hangers or pedestals 5 a heelplate 14 is shown provided with an anklet 15, to be fastened around the ankle of the skater, these severally-described details,however,not being essential to my invention.

At the rear edge of the lower plate 2 I provide a brake device 16 for the skate, said device being supported in position rearwardly of the roller 9 by means of an arm 17, secured at its inner end to the end of the axle of said rear roller, as shown. To apply said brake, it is sim ly necessary for the skater to throw his weig t backwardly upon the heels, whereupon the lower edge thereof will bite into or scrape along the ground or ice, as the case may be. Said device also serves the function of a mud-guard or protector for the rear roller, as will be apparent, since it will be seen to be constructed of a plate extending from the rearward end of the bottom plate 2 to the ground and curved for a part of its length in conformity with the tire of the rear wheel 7, thence outwardly at its lower free end.

The springs 9 may be secured in place in any suitable manner, suitable eyes or clips 18 and 19 being herein employed on the adja cent faces of the lower and upper plates, respectively, for that purpose.

I claim 1. A skate, comprising an upper plate having a free toe portlon sprung upwardly in the direction of the forward end of the skate, a lower plate with de 7 ending brackets and with wheels journaled in the brackets, each of said plates having clips on their adjacent faces, a duplicate set of duplicate springs arranged. between the plates at the ends thereof and secured by the clips.

2. A skate, comprising an upper plate, a lower plate provided with depending brackets, and supporting means secured within the brackets, each of said plates having clips on their adjacent faces, and cushioning devices between the plates and secured by the clips.

3. A roller-skate comprising a rear brake,- and nieansfrom the axle of the rear roller for securing the same in position, constructed of a plate bent for a part of its length in conformity to said roller, thence outwardly, at the free end thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT WARREN SHELMIRE.

Witnesses:

R. C. ROEPER, W. O. STEPHENSON. 

